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Trying to decide when is the right time for total hip replacement. My hip is fractured at the ball.

Posted , 14 users are following.

mike37250
mike37250

Doctor said to let him know when the pain is unbearable and schedule surgery. Is sooner better or should I wait?? Fracture has not gone all the way through the bone yet but I can feel that it is getting worse daily. My job requires a lot of walking. Just want to know if anyone has experience with having a fracture get worse with daily activities.

3 likes, 23 replies

23 Replies

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  • Kate53CornUK
    Kate53CornUK mike37250

    Posted

    Hi Mike, most people on here are driven to THR by pain and I would say, like others, that opting for it now would be more sensible. Hips seem to deteriorate very quickly sometimes so maybe better to get the process started especially as you are noticing it getting worse.

     

  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 mike37250

    Posted

    Mike - I just don't get this when its unbearable we will do something about it. Rubbish, I could say something stronger, I am thinking it.

    No Dr in his right mind would put up with the pain they seem to think we should put up with. 

    Even when you get the go ahead for surgery how long is your wait going to be, or do you have private cover thats not going to send you bankrupt with the gaps between what they will cover you for, and what they don't, many people that think they are covered, paid for years, find when the time comes no cover, or soo little its just not worth it.

    Even the best hospitals and surgeons seem to have a list, and it can be some weeks.

    While you are nice and strong and not limping too badly its time to get the THR done, you can only go down hill from where you are now, its not worth doing that, it takes soooo much longer to get well again.

  • hil123
    hil123 mike37250

    Posted

    Hi Mike

    I favour the sooner rather than later approach . I ended up with being Trendelenburg positive ( fancy name for the penguin limp ) by carrying on until i was bone on bone and, now I have my lovely new hip, I have to work harder to 'unlearn 'my limp .

    How soon you need a revision is very dependant on your own personal journey , my sister had her ( metal on metal ) hip when she was 42 , she will be 60 this year and it is only now just begining to twinge. On the other hand I have heard of needing a revision much sooner , only you know how fed up you are with you hip ☺

    All the best

    Hilary

  • renee01952
    renee01952 mike37250

    Posted

    Hi Mike, 

    we seem to be unanimous here -  

    Get the ball rolling when you are ready ..it is a big decision and you are the only one who knows your body-

    We speak from experience : it is NOT getting better and decline can happen very quickly - 

    Please come back here when you have any questions or concerns, okay ?

    big warm hug

    renee

    • mike37250
      mike37250 renee01952

      Posted

      Thanks for your insight on my hip. I agree on the sooner then later concept. I would rather plan my surgery than having the fracture plan it for me. And if it breaks and I have to wait for an opening probably not a good thing. I am blessed with an orthopedic center that is able to accommodate me sooner than later but still there will be some waiting involved regardless.

      This is an amazing forum and I am glad I stumbled across it. The peoples responses with real life experiences is truly awesome. It has been great to read, respond and support so many people and the same in return for me. I can see this procedure as a journey and it is nice to have support along the way.

      Thanks,

      Mike

    • renee01952
      renee01952 mike37250

      Posted

      You are so welcome - This is a wonderful forum of hippies from all over the world - personal stories and experiences are shared - the support and love is almost unconditional because we know what you are going through because we went through it or are about to - 

      It is a safe place, Mike - 

  • AnnieK
    AnnieK mike37250

    Posted

    I am wondering how long it has been fractured, and how you are feeling now. Are you in pain and/or limping? It would seem that a job with lots of walking could very easily make it worse quickly. I sure hope you don't have to spend ANY time with unbearable pain, which would mean that you wouldn't be mobile anymore, not to mention the actual horrible pain! Did the doctor say that the change could be very sudden? If so, then it would be much more difficult to get surgery scheduled and do all the preparation necessary for it, all the while you are suffering.

    I'd ask the doctor what he thinks about how long you can reasonably be expected to be walking around with a fracture like that. Why doesn't he recommend doing it now?

  • Lallydye1
    Lallydye1 mike37250

    Posted

    Hi Mike

    I am not sure why your surgeon has asked you to wait until the pain is unbearable.  That seems barbaric to me.  Also it is not going to get better by itself so I would probably bite the bullet and get the ball rolling on getting a THR.  

    Take care

    Alison x

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